The Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics (JASTP) first appeared in print in 1951, at the very start of what is termed the "Space Age". The first papers grappled with such novel subjects as the Earth's ionosphere and photographic studies of the aurora. Since that early, seminal work, the Journal has continuously evolved and expanded its scope in concert with - and in support of - the exciting evolution of a dynamic, rapidly growing field of scientific endeavour: the Earth and Space Sciences. At its Golden Anniversary, the now re-named Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics (JASTP) continues its development as the premier international journal dedicated to the physics of the Earth's atmospheric and space environment, especially the highly varied and highly variable physical phenomena that occur in this natural laboratory and the processes that couple them. The Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics is an international journal concerned with the inter-disciplinary science of the Sun-Earth connection, defined very broadly. The journal referees and publishes original research papers, using rigorous standards of review, and focusing on the following: The results of experiments and their interpretations, and results of theoretical or modelling studies;Papers dealing with remote sensing carried out from the ground or space and with in situ studies made from rockets or from satellites orbiting the Earth;and,Plans for future research, often carried out within programs of international scope.The Journal also encourages papers involving:large scale collaborations, especially those with an international perspective;rapid communications;papers dealing with novel techniques or methodologies;commissioned review papers on topical subjects;and, special issues arising from chosen scientific symposia or workshops.The journal covers the physical processes operating in the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, ionosphere, magnetosphere, the Sun, interplanetary medium, and heliosphere. Phenomena occurring in other "spheres", solar influences on climate, and supporting laboratory measurements are also considered. The journal deals especially with the coupling between the different regions.Solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and other energetic events on the Sun create interesting and important perturbations in the near-Earth space environment. The physics of this subject, now termed "space weather", is central to theJournal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics and the journal welcomes papers that lead in the direction of a predictive understanding of the coupled system. Regarding the upper atmosphere, the subjects of aeronomy, geomagnetism and geoelectricity, auroral phenomena, radio wave propagation, and plasma instabilities, are examples within the broad field of solar-terrestrial physics which emphasise the energy exchange between the solar wind, the magnetospheric and ionospheric plasmas, and the neutral gas. In the lower atmosphere, topics covered range from mesoscale to global scale dynamics, to atmospheric electricity, lightning and its effects, and to anthropogenic changes. Helpful, novel schematic diagrams are encouraged. Short animations and ancillary data sets can also be accommodated. Prospective authors should review the Instructions to Authors at the back of each issue.